Solitaire Book Club: Ice

Ice by Amy Brady. I am not sure whether Mark Kurlansky actually invented this genre of focused popular non-fiction with Cod and Salt in the late nineties/early aughts, but Brady is certainly a worthwhile inheritor of his mantle in any case. Ice is a fun book that gives a well-researched but accessible account of its topic substance, not from a physics perspective (although there is some scientific background) but through the lenses of social, political, and economic history. The book is well-organized, beginning with a comprehensive chronological overview, then exploring deep dives into food & drink and sports & entertainment, and wrapping up with some future projections, always holding the reader's interest as developments are recounted and connections are explored.

Special kudos go to Brady for recognizing and mentioning the often overlooked contexts of capitalism, colonialism, and racism that played such an important if unfortunate part in human history and the creation of the world as we know it.

It was an especial treat to read this book during a heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest!